Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Easter Day, March 31, 2024.
In my Easter reflection on Mark 16:1-8, we journey through the enigmatic narrative of Mark’s resurrection account, finding resonance in the emotions of fear and amazement experienced by the women at the empty tomb. Mark’s open-ended conclusion challenges us to embrace uncertainty in our faith journey while trusting in God’s steadfast promises.
Today’s Opening Sentence
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast. – 1 Corinthians 5.7–8
Today’s Reading – Mark 18:1-8
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.1
Your Online Message and Prayers
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Reflection questions for the week:
- How do you personally relate to the emotions of fear and amazement experienced by the women at the empty tomb? Reflect on a time in your life when you have felt a similar sense of awe and trepidation in the presence of God’s power or grace.
- In what ways does the ambiguity of Mark’s resurrection account challenge your understanding of faith and belief? Consider how you grapple with uncertainty in your own spiritual journey and how you find reassurance in God’s promises, even in the midst of doubt.
- Reflect on the invitation to “believe, tell, go, and meet Jesus” issued at the conclusion of my sermon. How can you embody these actions in your daily life and interactions with others? Consider specific ways you can share the message of Easter and embody the love of Christ in your community.
- As you ponder the open-ended nature of Mark’s Gospel and the unanswered questions it raises, consider how your response to the Easter story shapes your understanding of faith and discipleship. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God and live out the transformative message of Easter in your life?
A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
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God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d Canon Rob Park
- Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.